Catamenial device and surgical pad



, May 16, 1950 J. B. BIEDERMAN 2,508,214

CATAMENIAL DEVICE AND SURGICAL PAD Filed April 17, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 M A Y )Nl/ENTOR. /2 dosEPH B/EDERMA/v l 6 lBY fam/W,

May 16, 1950 J. B. Blr-:DERMAN CATAMENIAL DEVICE AND SURGICAL PAD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 17, 19'48 INVENTOR. JOSEPH B. B/EDERMA/v Afl/ys.

Patented May 16, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE CATAMENIAL BE'VCE AND SURGICAL PAD Joseph B, Biederman, Cincinnati, Ohio Application April 17, 1948, Serial No. 21,625

(Cl. 12S-285) Claims. l

This invention relates to catamenial devices and to surgical pads and more particularly relates to pads of increased absorbency and` to medicated pads.

An object of this invention is to produce a pad having :in increased capacity for absorbing fluids.

A further object of this invention is to produce a pad or device of this type having channels for conveying iluids from their point of contact to a remote part of the pad or device.

A further object of this invention is to provide a pad or' device of this type which can be treated with chemicals such as detergents or the like or other medication for increasing the flow of fluids through the pad or device or for other purposes.

The above and other objects may be attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view partly broken away and in section of a catamenial device constructed in accordance with this invention and an applicator for the device.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the pad illustrated in Figure l prior to folding.

Figure 3 is a sectional view along line 3-3 in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the pad illustrated in Figure 1 in partly folded form.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the partly folded pad shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the pad in folded form.

Figure 7 is a plan view of a catamenial pad constructed in accordance with this invention, the pad and a cover for the pad being partly broken away for clarity.

Figure 8 isa sectional view along line 8--8 in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a plan view of another pad constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 10 is a sectional view along the line Il-Ili in Figure 9.

Brieily, this invention provides a surgical pad or catamenial device formed from a pad of loosely matted bers of cotton or the like having a high absorbency. A plurality of perforations are formed through the pad and serve to conduct iluids, such as blood, from the surface through the pad so that the fluids are distributed throughout the pad and do not remain at the surface to coagulate there.

In addition, the pad may be formed with a series of lengthwise 'or cross-wise channels or lines of fold for channeling the fluids lengthwise or cross wise of the pad between perforations. The outer ends of the perforations may be covered with a layer oi' fibers to prevent unimpeded flow through the perforations, and a portion of the pad maybe formed without perforations to receive the detergent or other chemical or medication for in,- creasing the penetration of fluids through the pad or for other purposes. If desired, the entire pad or parts thereof may be impregnated. As will be apparent from the drawings and from the following detailed description, the pad may be used as a surgical pad. It may be used as a catamenial pad for external use or may be folded over for use internally of the vagina.

Referring now to the drawings and to Figures 1-6 inclusive, a pad- I2 is shown which may be inserted in the vagina by means of an applicator which may be of conventional form. The applicator, as shown in Figure l, may include inner and outer cardboard tubes I 3 and IA which are telescopically fitted together. The outer tube Iii receives the pad I2, while the inner tube I3 can serve to force the pad I2 from the tube it into the vagina. A cord I 5 attached to the pad I2 permits removal thereof from the vagina.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the pad I2 may have a rectangular shape and may be formed from a fiat pad of loosely matted fibers. The pad I2 preferably consists of relatively long bers which may be of cotton, such as long fiber absorbent cotton. The pad I2 is given a plurality of lengthwise folds I1. A plurality of perforationl are formed through the pad I2 for providing channels through the pad. The perforations I8 and folds l1 permit improved penetration o! iluids through the pad. A central portion I9 of the pad I2 may be free of perforations for receiving a detergent or other chemical or medication for increasing the penetration of iluids into thepad I2 or for other purposes, as will be :set out more fully hereinafter.

As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the pad I2 may be compressed, accordion-wise into a long narrow form which, as shown in Figure 6, may be bent about a central point 2|. The cord I6 may be looped about the pad I2 at the point 2l and there tied to the pad, and the pad may be positioned in the tube I4 (Figure l) ready for use.

The perforations I8 may, as shown in Figure 2, be along the lines of the folds II and perforations in folds which meet may be aligned so that, as shown in Figure 6, open ends of the perforations I8 may interconnect. However, the perforations I8, if desired, may be spaced in various other manners to provide channels through which fluids can penetrate the pad.

An outer fold 22 may be free of perforations to fold about the pad forming an outer cover to prevent unimpeded flow of fluids through the perforations I6 and to give a smooth surface for contact with the vagina.

As will be apparent, the folds I1 as well as the perforations I8 contribute to the penetration of fluids through the pad I2. The folds I1 provide lengthwise channels along while the fluids can penetrate through the pad I2, while the perforations I8 permit flow thereof through the pad.

In Figures 'I and 8'is shown a pad 25 suitable for external catamenial use. The pad 25 may be formed of an inner layer 26 and a pair of outer layers 21 on opposite sides of the inner layer 26. All three layers may be of loosely matted fibers, such as absorbent cotton. A plurality of perforations 28 may be formed in the inner layer 26 for permitting penetration of fluids through the pad 25. The outer layers 21 may beecontinuous to form closures about the ends of the perforations to prevent unimpeded flow of fluids through the perforations.

In addition to the perforations 28, the pad 25 may have a series of lengthwise accordion-type folds 29 for permitting lengthwise fiow of fluids along the pad. The perforations 28 permit penetration through the pad, while the folds 29 permit penetration ,lengthwise thereof. As shown, the perforations 28 may be located along the folds 29, but as will be apparent, the perforations may readily be located in various other patterns.

An outer peripheral edge 2| of the pad 25 may be free of perforations for receivinga detergent or other medication for improving the flow of fluids through the pad 25 or for other purposes. The pad 25 may be provided with a stockinet .cover 32 of the usual type having a central portion which surrounds the pad 25 and a pair of outer portions 33, only one of which is shown, extending from opposite ends of the pad for use in attaching the pad.

In Figures 9 and 10 is shown a pad 3l! con structed in accordance with this invention having an alternate construction. The pad 3B may be formed from the same type of material, for example, absorbent cotton as the pad 25 and may similarly be of rectangular shape. The pad 3-8 includes a series of perforations 35 through the pad for aiding penetration of fluids through the pad. In addition, an upper surface 36 of the pad 34 may have a plurality of lengthwise channels 31 and a plurality of crosswise channels 38 intersecting the channels 31. The channels 31 and 38 may be formed in the pad 36 by means of a die or the like. An outer peripheral edge I9 may be free of perforations for receiving a detergent or other medication. As shown in Figlires 9 and 10, the channels 31 and 38 in the surface 36 may be opposite similar lengthwise channels 40 and crosswise channels, not shown, in a lower surface 42 of the pad, but, as will be apparent, the lower surface may be free of channels or may have channels differently located.

The medication for the pads may be a dehydrating agent such as sodium sulphate which tends to draw the fluids through the pads or may be a detergent capable of lowering the surface tension of the fluids. These medications increase the absorbency of the material of the pads and the absorptive capacity of the pads by permitting increased penetration of the fluids through the pad. Other medications may be used on the pads for increasing their absorbency or for other purposes. As shown in the drawings, the pads may be formed with imperforate portions for receiving the medication. If preferredl the entire pad or portions thereof may be impregnated with the medication.

'I'he pads of this invention have been described particularly with reference to their use as catamenial devices. However, the pads may be used for surgical purposes in a similar manner. Many other uses for the pads will be apparent. -The pads have been shown in rectangular shape, but pads of other shapes may -be formed without departing from the spirit of this invention. The pads have been described particularly as constructed from absorbent, brous materials such as absorbent cotton, but pads may similarly be formed of other absorbent materials. The spacing and size of the perforations may vary with the use of the pads. Many other variations of construction 'are possible, and the invention is not intended to be limited by the foregoing detailed description but only as set out in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. An absorbent pad of the class described which consists essentially of fibrous material and includes an inner mat and a pair of outer mats positioned on opposite sides of said inner mat, said inner mat including a plurality of spaced perforations, said perforations being arranged in spaced lengthwise rows, said outer mats covering the ends of said perforations to prevent unimpeded flow of fluids through the perforations, said pad having a plurality of lengthwise folds, said folds extending along the lengthwise rows of perforations to form lengthwise channels connecting the perforations in the rows.

2. An absorbent catamenial device for insertion within the vagina which consists essentially of a mat of fibrous absorbent material, said mat containing a plurality of spaced rows of perforations, said mat being folded accordion-wise along the rows of perforations to provide channels along the mat connecting the perforations and being turned about itself alongV a median line thereof, and a cord attached to the mat for removal thereof from the vagina, said cord being attached to said mat at the median point, whereby the channels on opposite sides of the cord and median line extend in substantial parallelism with one another, and with the cord projecting from the point of attachment thereof to the mat.

3. An absorbentpad of the class described which consists essentially of fibrous material and includes an inner mat and a pair of outer mats positioned on opposite sides of said inner mat, said inner mat including a plurality of spaced perforations, said perforations being arranged in spaced lengthwise rows, said outer mats covering the ends of said perforations to prevent unimpeded flow of fluids through the perforations, said pad having a plurality of lengthwise accordion-like folds, said folds extending along the lengthwise rows of perforations to form lengthwise channels connecting the perforations in the rows.

4. An absorbent pad which consists essentially of a mat of absorbent fibrous material, said mat containing a plurality of spaced perforations, said perforations being arranged in spaced aaoaan.

lengthwise rows. said pad having a plurality of lengthwise accordion-like folds extending along the rows of perforations to form lengthwise channels connecting the perforatlons in the rows.

5. An `absorbent pad which consists essentially of absorbent cotton ilbers and includes an inner mat having a plurality of spaced perforatlons, said perforations being arranged in spaced rows extending lengthwise of the pad. and a pair o! .outer mats disposed on opposite sides of said inner mat, said outer mats covering the ends oi said perforations to prevent unimpeded now of ilulds through the perforatlons. said pad having a plurality of accordion-like folds extending 8 REFERENCES CITED The following references are ot record in the ille of this patent:

l UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 974,295 Pond Nov. 1, 1910 1.967.859 Burns July 24, 1934 2,073,410 Thomas Mar. 9, 1937 10 2,286,817 Knight June 16, 1942 2,390,184 Seng Dec. 4, 1945 OTHER REFERENCES Article by Abraham Taub, Surface Active lengthwise of the pad and providing channels i5 Cents as Germicides" from the Merck Report connecting said perforations. l

JOSEPH B. BIEDERMAN.

for July. 1944. (A copy is in Div. 55 of the Patent Oihce.) 

